BRISBANE house prices are now 40 per cent cheaper than Sydney, according to figures from RP Data, despite an unseasonal surge in market activity during winter.

The national property market did not cool with the temperature, as figures have revealed the best seasonal price growth in seven years.

According to the latest RP Data Hedonic Index, capital city housing markets recorded their strongest capital gain for winter since 2007.

Values were up by 4.2 per cent during the three months of winter, driven by strong growth in the Sydney and Melbourne markets. Melbourne values jumped by 6.4 per cent, while Sydney values rose by 5 per cent.

Canberra also fought off the winter blues to deliver a strong result, with its values up 2.5 per cent for the quarter.

RP Data research director Tim Lawless said this result was driven entirely by the house market in that city. Its unit market experienced a drop during the period.

Most capital cities experienced growth in values during the winter, although at more moderate levels.

Adelaide values were up 1.5 per cent, Brisbane, 1.3 per cent and Perth 1 per cent.

Darwin values dropped by 0.6 per cent and Hobart by 0.8 per cent.

The latest figures reveal that, on a whole, dwelling values are 10.9 per cent higher than 12 months ago.

Sydney is the most expensive city to buy in with a median dwelling price of $650,000, while Hobart is the most affordable with its median at $310,000.